11 Steps to Better Real Estate Ads

11 Steps to Better Real Estate Ads

You can increase the effectiveness of your real estate and rentals ads by following a few simple guidelines. Potential customers look for specific information. Sometimes adding one or two words can make a big difference in ad response!

  1. If the home is offered at a price lower than the area median, include price in the headline or near the start of the copy.
  2. If the home is priced above the area median, include specific information on location or unique features in the headline or near the start of the copy.
  3. Include ZIP code and city when submitting ad to achieve best results in searchable online database.
  4. Maximize your investment in advertising by using all the available space in headlines. Find out how many characters will fit in a headline and consistently fill those spaces.
  5. Write positive headlines. Avoid negative headlines like "Illness Forces Sale."
  6. Fill the ad with information appealing to prospects. Include all vital statistics including number of bedrooms and baths, square footage and price. If an open house is scheduled include the address!
  7. Observe Fair Housing Act guidelines prohibiting discriminating in advertising on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, mental or physical handicap, familial status, and marital status (In Oregon).
  8. Edit to strengthen your ad! Remove non-essential information and insert more benefits. Avoid phrases like "For more information, call..." Use that space for actual facts about the home.
  9. Use active phrases. Instead of "large formal dining room", consider "seat 16 for dinner."
  10. Avoid uncommon abbreviations. They abbreviate results.
  11. Write active, descriptive headlines. You will be rewarded with better ad response.